Congress Averts Government Shutdown

It will fund the government until December. 11, setting up a showdown in Congress down the road on several fronts.

Cruz is well-known for leading an unsuccessful 2013 fight over Obamacare that triggered an unpopular 16-day government shutdown.

The action by the Senate and House came just hours before a partial government shutdown would have occurred on Thursday, the start of the new fiscal year.

In the House, Utah’s four members, all Republicans, voted against the resolution. Every time we spend a federal dollar, what we’re doing is pulling money out of somebody’s pocket and we’re giving it to somebody else.

The battle over the divisive Planned Parenthood issue helped spur the resignation of House Speaker John Boehner, who was under fire from the right-wing of his caucus to risk a shutdown rather than fund the nation’s largest abortion provider.

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) appeared to wink at Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards throughout a Home hearing on Tues.as he accused her of suggesting anti-abortion advocates are “not reasonable”.

Congressional leaders are preparing for budget negotiations to address the looming funding cliff and spending deadlines.

The organization has said it doesn’t sell fetal tissue for profit, and instead receives the cost of collecting and delivering it. Senate Democrats blocked an earlier measure that would defund the women’s reproductive health-care group.

Senators acted first Wednesday, voting 78-20 to approve the bill, which does not contain a controversial provision to strip funding from Planned Parenthood. Reid said Wednesday he welcomes the Republican leaders to the bargaining table.

“You want to understand the volcanic frustration with Washington?” “Americans are ready to see Democrats start supporting – not blocking – the very bipartisan funding legislation Democrats previously voted for and bragged about in press releases”, McConnell said on the floor before the vote.

“This CR, while not ideal, is the next step towards that end, keeping the government’s lights on as we work to find a solution”, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said in a House debate, Reuters reported. Politicians have until then to agree a longer-term budget solution, or risk another potential shutdown.

Boehner exits Congress on October 30, and the question remains how hard he will push for Republican priorities, which include boosting defense spending, before he leaves.

The USA government remains constrained by spending curbs that have essentially frozen budget levels since 2011.

“A short-term funding measure sailed through the Senate this morning, and is expected to pass in the House later today”.